Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Publication
    Banana stem waste as a sustainable modifier for microstructure modification of protonic ceramic fuel cell cathode
    This study investigates the feasibility of utilizing banana stem waste (BSW) as a pore former to modify the microstructure of the PCFC composite cathode. The microstructure of the La₀.₆Sr₀.₄Co₀.2Fe₀.8O3-α-Ba(Ce₀.₆Zr₀.₄)₀.₉Y₀.1O3-δ (LSCF-BCZY64) composite cathode was modified by varying the amounts of the incorporated banana stem waste. The samples underwent sintering at 1000 ˚C, and their microstructural and physical properties were analyzed using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and densimeter. The results indicate that the incorporation of BSW enhances the porosity of the cathode without significantly affecting its crystalline structure. As the amount of BSW increased from 10 to 40 wt.%, the porosity level increased from 7.0% to 32.7%, and the density of the samples decreased from 1.3 to 0.9 g/cm3, thereby supporting the results of the porosity analysis. Increased cathode porosity can enhance reactant accessibility to active sites, potentially resulting in improved cell performance and durability. Moreover, the utilization of BSW as a sustainable and cost-effective pore former aligns with the growing emphasis on environmentally friendly materials in energy applications.
  • Publication
    Production of low temperature synthetic graphite
    ( 2023-04)
    Anis Syafiqa Rosman
    ;
    Ranjitha Navalan
    ;
    ; ; ; ; ;
    Nurul Huda Osman
    Synthetic graphite is a material consisting of graphitic carbon which has been obtained by graphitizing a non-graphitic carbon. The growth in demand, particularly in customizing properties for certain usage has brought about research on viable alternative, low-cost, and environmentally pleasant synthetic graphite production. Biomass wastes are amongst appealing carbon precursors which have been broadly checked out as replacement carbon for graphite production. This research aimed to synthesize synthetic graphite from oil palm trunks at low temperatures (500 °C, 400 °C and 300 °C) under controlled conditions to determine the physical properties and properties of the graphite obtained. After the heat treatment process, the obtained samples were then characterized by using XRD, SEM and RAMAN characterizations. Based on SEM and RAMAN characterization, it can be seen that graphite that undergoes a 500 °C pyrolysis process shows the best results compare to graphite that undergoes a pyrolysis process at the temperatures of 300 °C and 400 °C. The graphite flakes and the peaks obtained for 500 °C graphite are obviously present. For XRD characterization, the best samples at 500 °C were chosen to be characterized. From the results, the sample shows slight behavior imitating the commercialized graphite. Hence, from the characterizations of the samples, it can be concluded that the best synthetic graphite produced was from the oil palm trunks heated at 500 ° C
      14  2
  • Publication
    Sustainable packaging design for molded expanded polystyrene cushion
    ( 2023) ; ;
    Wan Abd Rahman Assyahid Wan Ibrahim
    ;
    ; ; ;
    Andrei Victor Sandu
    ;
    Maria Pop
    ;
    Aurel Mihail Titu
    ;
    Katarzyna BÅ‚och
    ;
    Marcin Nabiałek
    A molded expanded polystyrene (EPS) cushion is a flexible, closed-cell foam that can be molded to fit any packing application and is effective at absorbing shock. However, the packaging waste of EPS cushions causes pollution to landfills and the environment. Despite being known to cause pollution, this sustainable packaging actually has the potential to reduce this environmental pollution because of its reusability. Therefore, the objective of this study is to identify the accurate design parameter that can be emphasized in producing a sustainable design of EPS cushion packaging. An experimental method of drop testing and design simulation analysis was conducted. The effectiveness of the design parameters was also verified. Based on the results, there are four main elements that necessitate careful consideration: rib positioning, EPS cushion thickness, package layout, and packing size. These parameter findings make a significant contribution to sustainable design, where these elements were integrated directly to reduce and reuse packaging material. Thus, it has been concluded that 48 percent of the development cost of the cushion was decreased, 25 percent of mold modification time was significantly saved, and 27 percent of carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction was identified. The findings also aided in the development of productive packaging design, in which these design elements were beneficial to reduce environmental impact. These findings had a significant impact on the manufacturing industry in terms of the economics and time of the molded expanded polystyrene packaging development.
      8  2